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Archive for May 2014

Enough is Enough: We will not forget the meaning of Memorial Day

By Robert E. Macdonald

Mayor of Lewiston

This Friday, May 30, 2014, is Memorial Day. It’s a day set aside to both remember and honor our country’s war dead, patriotic women and men who made the ultimate sacrifice in order to insure a continuation of the freedoms we enjoy. But over the years it has slowly been losing its meaning.

Several years ago, Congress exhibited their solemnity of this day by changing it from its original date to the last Monday in May, so that federal workers could enjoy a three-day weekend. With the stroke of a pen, it was transformed from a day from remembering and honoring our war dead to the kickoff of the summer vacation season. It has gone from a day of solemnity to just another long weekend.

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Graduating with honors

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The Lisbon High School Class of 2014 will graduate at the Androscoggin Bank Colisee on Friday, May 30. Graduating with honors (cum laude or magna cum laude) will be (l. to r., from front) Bailey Cutler, Jennifer Smith, Shantal MacWhinnie, Nichole Jones (Magna Cum Laude), Sierra Crosby (Magna Cum Laude), Paige Galligan, Tabitha Porter, Bryanna Sult (Magna Cum Laude), Dillon Clifford, Tyler Bard, Robert Dall (Magna Cum Laude), Nicholas Corey, and Dylan Busler. Not present for the photo were Jacob Bremmer, Jennifer-Lynn Clifford (Magna Cum Laude), Colby Perron, and Jeremy Wilson.

LPL program demonstrates reading solutions for visually impaired

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These handheld magnifiers are among the low- and high-tech devices designed to help you keep reading that vision professionals will demonstrate at Lewiston Public Library on Thursday, June 5.

Reading exercises our brains, improves our concentration, teaches us, entertains us and relaxes us. Most importantly, perhaps, reading is a key to independence. Being able to read food labels, medication labels, bills, and newspapers are all daily tasks that require reading. So how can we continue with this vital activity when we develop vision problems?

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APD offers new service for those at risk of wandering

The Auburn Police Department (APD) has partnered with Project Lifesaver to implement a new service designed to track and rescue those with cognitive conditions who tend to wander. The service will answer a critical need for protecting citizens of Auburn who are at risk, including those with Alzheimer’s, Autism, Asperger Syndrome, Down Syndrome or Dementia.

Clients enrolled in the service will wear a wristwatch-sized radio transmitter on their wrist or ankle. The transmitter will constantly emit a radio-frequency signal, which can be tracked regardless of where the person has wandered, including within densely wooded areas, marshes, concrete structures, and steel buildings. When a loved one goes missing and a caregiver notifies 9-1-1, officers will be dispatched to the wanderer’s last known area. The service has an average rescue time of approximately 30 minutes.

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Students pass CNA exam

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These students recently completed the Central Maine Medical Center (CMMC) College of Nursing and Health Professions Nursing Assistant course and subsequently passed the state competency examination: (beginning second from left) Rae Brushwein and Jeffrey Gousse, both of Lewiston; Emily Marshall of New Gloucester; Rebecca King of Limington; Adria Hughes of Raymond; Michelle Lessard of Lisbon; and Cecily Hurst of Lewiston. The course instructor was registered nurse Evawn Young (far left). For more information about classes and programs at the College, visit www.CMMCcollege.edu.

Enough is Enough: Look beyond school grades to see the real story

By Robert E. Macdonald

Mayor of Lewiston

Whew! Thank goodness Lewiston’s school budget was approved before the Maine Department of Education released its school grades.

I would speculate that if the public had gone to the polls knowing how poorly Lewiston’s school system had scored, voter turnout would have been high, resulting in an overwhelming defeat of Lewiston school budget.

But, like life, someone has to finish last. Unsurprisingly and living up to its reputation as a welfare destination, Lewiston to the surprise of no one won the race to the bottom, thus reprising our all-too-familiar role of Cinderella. Immediately our evil stepsisters (the media and the affluent progressives of Southern Maine) began to focus on and publically dissect the composition of Lewiston’s population.

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“Tunes in June” concert boasts stellar lineup

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Among the performers scheduled to appear in a special “Tunes in June” concert on June 1 to benefit the future Pettingill Park are (l. to r.) Nick Knowlton, Dan Caron, Denny Breau, Debbie Morin, Malinda Liberty, Ed Boucher, Phil House, and Kathy Haley (photo by Gini Haines of Haines Photography).

Several Maine music icons have volunteered their talents for a special “Tunes in June” concert to benefit Friends of Pettingill and their work to create a city park at the site of the former Pettingill School in Lewiston. Singer-songwriter and standout guitarist Denny Breau has assembled an all-star cast for the second annual show, scheduled to take place on Sunday, June 1 at the Franco Center in Lewiston.

The event will include reunion performances by the popular ’60s group the Royal Knights and local favorites Good ’n Plenty. Slated to appear are Nick Knowlton, Debbie Morin, Phil House, Kathy Haley, Dan Caron, Malinda Liberty, and Ed Boucher, with the rest of the original Royal Knights: Paul Boucher, Guy Mathieu, and Ronnie Morin. World-class drummer Bob Elie will travel from San Diego to round out the ensemble.

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L/A Arts unveils Summer Art Walks schedule

L/A Arts will turn downtown Lewiston into a vibrant arts district once again this summer when Art Walk L/A resumes for the season on Friday, May 30. This monthly series will take place from 5 to 8:30 p.m. on the last Friday of every month through September.

This year, over twenty greater Lisbon Street organizations and several empty storefronts will open their doors to the community to host visual art galleries, live performances, and special exhibits. Free performances at Dufresne Plaza will return as a focal point of the festivities. New for this year will be an online catalog of the works on display, giving patrons an opportunity to browse, enjoy, and even purchase featured items before and after the event.

The mission of Art Walk L/A is to foster a sense of community while celebrating the vibrancy of downtown Lewiston-Auburn through self-guided tours of participating venues that have been converted into temporary arts spaces. At the beginning of the season, participating businesses decide whether to curate their own spaces or have L/A Arts do so, with all venues displaying new work by local artists each month. Maps of the Art Walk route provide patrons with information about the artists and exhibits. Live performances take place at Dufresne Plaza or, in the event of rain, in Callahan Hall at Lewiston Public Library.

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Local band Cover One Eye wins 2014 MAMM Slam

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E.L.H.S. students (l. to r.) Noah Libby, Kenzie Tufts, and Trevor Laliberte – aka Cover One Eye – with the $1,000 check they brought home as the winning band in the 2014 Mamm Slam competition.

The members of Cover One Eye – Edward Little High School students Noah Libby, Kenzie Tufts, and Trevor Laliberte – may be feeling a little like rock stars right now. The trio recently took Best Band honors at the 2014 MAMM Slam, the state’s premier competition for high school bands and solo performers.

Since forming the band in the summer of 2012, Noah Libby (guitar and vocals), Kenzie Tufts (bass), and Trevor Laliberte (drums and vocals) the trio has spent considerable time and energy writing, recording, playing shows, and developing their unique musical style, an energetic blend of punk and hardcore. As the contest winners, the band will receive $1,000, along with coveted recording time, TV appearances, radio play, plum gigs and professional marketing direction.

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CMCC offers free Customer Service Rep. Training

In partnership with Argo Marketing and Great Falls Marketing, the Corporate and Community Services Division of Central Maine Community College (CMCC) will present a free Customer Service Representative training program from May 27 to June 5. The program will take place weekdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Argo Marketing, Great Falls Marketing, and CMCC have worked together to develop this quick but thorough training program to provide participants with the right skills to build a career in this growing field. The course will cover critical skills for workers in this industry, including customer service, communication, basic math, computers, and recognizing and managing stress. A resume writing, interview and job-search skills workshop will also be included.

Successful completion of the training will be recognized by hiring managers from Argo Marketing and Great Falls Marketing, and each participant will be interviewed for job opportunities. Registration for the course is open and ongoing, but space is limited. For more information or to register, contact the Lewiston CareerCenter at 753-9005.


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